Our Story

Passionately Building Character One Stroke at a Time

You feel it the moment you walk in. Something different. It’s more than vibrant colors chosen to inspire kids. More than a curriculum crafted to not only teach kids to swim but also to build their character. More than a shiver-free pool heated to 90 degrees. There’s something more. Something unexpected. Something that propels Goldfish Swim School beyond typical. It’s passion.

Not just a passion for kids or a passion for swimming…it’s a special passion for changing – even saving – lives by teaching kids to swim.

A passion born in the heart of a mom – driven by her love for children, swimming and a desire to deliver an unmatched “Golden Experience” for kids and their families.

Our revolutionary Perpetual Lessons model includes:

One life-guard certified instructor for every four children

Year-round swim lessons for children 4 months to 12 years and for swimmers of all abilities

Curriculum focused on teaching swim and safety skills while building character

The Goldfish Experience was born when Co-Founder Jenny McCuiston realized the demand for quality swim instruction after teaching swim lessons at a local swim club in the summer of 2000. She became increasingly busy with customers, and her business grew steadily throughout the summer. In the summer of 2004, Jenny decided to teach swim lessons at a nearby country club. Jenny, again, realized the great need for quality swim instruction as she regularly accumulated a waiting list and her clientele grew to record-breaking numbers for the club by summer’s end.

So, with the help of her husband Chris, Co-Founder of Goldfish Swim School, they began researching the learn to swim industry in late 2004. They traveled the country learning from other swim school owners, traveled to several swim school conferences and began the two year development of their business plan. In early 2005, Jenny created the systems that Goldfish still uses and improves upon to this day, and it was also at that time that she and Chris dreamt-up their rustic beach house decor, all from the kitchen of their home.

After the 2 years of research, and a lot of hard work, Chris and Jenny opened Goldfish Swim School in Birmingham, MI on March 20, 2006. They opened with over 500 students enrolled and, within two years, the business had grown to teach more than 2,000 students per week.

Since opening its first franchise in 2009 in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Goldfish Swim School has continued to grow across the country. There are currently over 65 schools open or in development in more than 17 states. Today, Goldfish is proud to teach more than 50,000 students per week to swim and be safer in and around the water.

Our Founders

Jenny McCuiston, Co-Founder

Busy mother of four

16-time High School State Champion swimmer

17-time Collegiate All-American at the University of Arizona

Two-time Olympic Trials qualifier

Degree in Early Childhood Development & Family Studies

Chris McCuiston, Co-Founder

Busy father of four

Former Captain of the Michigan State University Baseball Team

Single-Season Record-Holder at Michigan State University

Drafted into the Detroit Tigers Organization

Degree in Finance

Awards & Designations

Entrepreneur of the Year – by Ernst & Young

Best Franchise Headquartered in Michigan – by Investment Watch Blog

Top 200 Franchises – by Franchise Business Review

Top 50 Franchises for Franchisee Satisfaction – by Franchise Business Review

Top 50 Franchises for Women – by Franchise Business Review

Best of the Best – by Entrepreneur Magazine

Hot Franchise Trends – by Entrepreneur Magazine

Best Franchise for Any Budget – by Entrepreneur Magazine

Franchise 500 (2016, 2017) – by Entrepreneur Magazine

Michigan Economic Bright Spots (2016, 2017) – by Corp! Magazine

Brightest & Best in Wellness – by Brightest & Best

Rising Entrepreneur (2015) – by Jewish Vocational Services

Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist (2013, 2014, 2015, 2017) – by Ernst & Young

Top 200+ (2016, 2017) Franchise Systems (Up and Coming) – by Franchise Times